The former Progress chair is defending a majority of just 795 while the Tories came second last time.

He has been a regular critic of Corbyn since the veteran left-winger was elected Labour leader in September 2015. Woodcock has spoken up repeatedly over the importance of the nuclear deterrent, for which the submarines are manufactured in his constituency, while Corbyn has a longstanding opposition to Trident. Labour Party policy backs the weapon.

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